Dedicated police and fire department personnel from Londonderry and Derry are doing still more good in the Granite State on their own time by playing in the 2016 Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD) Battle of the Badges Baseball Classic at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium – also known as Fisher Cats’ Stadium – in Manchester on Aug. 28 at 1:35 p.m.
In its sixth season, the CHaD Battle of the Badges Baseball Classic pits police officers and firefighters from across New Hampshire against each other in a battle of Good vs. Good to support the kids and programs at CHaD.
Londonderry firefighters Mike Roberson, Brian Schofield, and Chris Schofield will work along with Derry firemen Anthony DeRosa and Dennis Livoli and their fellow fire department personnel on their team to defeat the police squad, which includes Londonderry cops James Freda and Justin Hallock.
The Badges Classic was the brainchild of Nashua firefighter Bill Shea, who wanted a way to help CHaD to continue to offer the best medical care and family support in the state.
“As a father, Shea recognized the importance of CHaD’s mission and felt that this event would be a natural extension to the CHaD Battle of the Badges franchise, which includes the annual Police vs. Fire hockey game held each April,” said CHaD community relations and event coordinator Tom Gauthier.
As part of the fundraising mission for this event, players commit to raising a minimum of $1,000 while creating a lifelong friendship with a CHaD kid along the way. Through sponsorships, player investment, ticket sales, and donations, this game has thus far raised more than $260,000 since its inception.
The local safety personnel took part in Buddy Day Wednesday, July 13, during which police officers and fire department personnel who will be playing in the fundraising contest got to meet up with CHaD patients who directly benefit from the funds raised.
Local folks can join the “battle” by supporting a player and purchasing a ticket to the game at www.chadbaseball.org.